Bolton are using their preseason to give some opportunities to the various trialists at the club.
Several young players are hoping to convince the newly-promoted Championship side to sign them up for their prompt return to England’s second tier.
Manager Phil Parkinson has been tasked with drafting in new talent whilst keeping costs down and he’s not doing a bad job, having brought in two players on loan deals and signing four new recruits on free transfers.
One or two more names will likely come in, with the Championship season just days away.
And Parkinson didn’t want to risk any first-teamers during Bolton’s final preseason friendly and, instead, used the game as one last chance to see what the trialists at the club could muster.
Bolton took on non-league side Marine FC on Tuesday night and the starting XI selected by the manager was nothing short of incredible.
#BWFC XI to face @MarineAFC: Turner, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist. 🐘 🏰
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 1, 2017
That’s right. Goalkeeper Jake Turner played behind 10 trialists for the game.
And the subs’ bench…
#BWFC XI Subs: Aspinall, Trialist, Trialist, Lonsdale, Hall. 🐘 🏰
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 1, 2017
Another two trialists for good measure.
But it was all going according to plan in the first half, with Trialist getting on the scoresheet.
Trialist! 😉 #BWFC 🐘 🏰 https://t.co/hiStim3bcm
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 1, 2017
Needless to say, supporters absolutely loved it.
We all dream of a team of trialist’s?
— Nathan Jebb ? (@NathanJebb) August 1, 2017
He’s here, he’s there he’s every f**king where……
— The Tino (@fowkes81) August 1, 2017
Watch me back trialist first goal scorer and turner scores first
— Ollie Lewinski (@Ollie_Lewinski) August 1, 2017
Can’t believe we’re favourites for relegation with a team like that
— ⚡️ Aaron ⚽️ (@aaron_bwfc) August 1, 2017
Ffs why isn’t trialist starting?
— KyleBCFC (@KyleColclough_) August 1, 2017
Announce Trialist! #bwfc
— The Night King (@DisAddress) August 1, 2017
Is that a common last name there?
— Mora(ni)ta (@BrightLikeA442) August 1, 2017
Is that trialist lad any good
— S (@SimpIySuso) August 1, 2017
Always said that Trialist family were a talented bunch ??
— Luke Samuels (@Lukesamuels2) August 1, 2017
can trialist play wingback?
— lewis (@MysticalMusonda) August 1, 2017
Mr & Mrs Trialist need to get a TV.
— Vikki Green (@lumpybum72) August 1, 2017
Bloody hell. Didnt think trialist was gonna play
— Joshua Walton (@Jwgaming16) August 1, 2017